Derek & Beano’s Roller Derby Experience [PICTURES & VIDEO]

Last night Derek and I got to experience roller derby. No, we didn't get thrown in the middle of a derby match (thankfully :)), but some of the FOCO Girls Gone Derby girls took some time out of their night to suit us up, teach us some moves, and give us an idea about what derby is all about.

And I came back with all of my teeth!I cannot lie, when I started walking into the dimly lit Rollerland entrance last night, I was terrified. Something in my brain said, "Dude, what are you doing? You can't skate, your going to get beat to heck and probably get hurt!" Thankfully I didn't listen to that whiny little voice inside my head and ended up having a great night.

(Big thanks to iOna Switchblade, Suzy MuffinCrusher, Texas Chainsaw Mascara and the other derby girls that gave us such a warm welcome!)

Check out some of the pictures from our adventure.

First off, they suited us up nicely with some protective gear and skates. (I turned down the offer to wear some sparkly hot pants, but I knew I was going to be sharing the photos, so I was really doing you a favor by turning that down.)

Then it was on to awkward stretching, where I found out just how not-limber I am.

Next, we got the tutorial on how to stop. I still need work on that one, it's pretty important.

We then learned a few pushes and a whip move and then it was on to checking!

They demonstrated a few kinds of checks and then let loose with a few of them on Derek and I. (We tried to check each other too, but let's just say we need a few more practices.) We both took a couple of pretty good wallops and I was jazzed that I survived a wave of 4 hip checks from Suzy. But, I do have at least 70 pounds on her, and afterwards we watched some of the girls' scrimmage and realized that Texas and Suzy were being verrrrry nice to us. (Those derby girls can be brutal, wow!)

iOna took us aside and explained the rules of derby to us during the scrimmage, and let me tell you, once you know what's going on it's really easy to get drawn in to a match. you kind of have to see it as it's being explained (I did anyways), but here is a little tutorial on the rules for you.

We were on the rink for 40 minutes (maybe), worked up a sweat and got a little beat up. It was a great time, but I think all those women earned some more respect in my book. Derby is a lot of work and requires a lot of skill, and they practice for hours at a time 3 nights a week.  But dang, it is fun!

I'm still amazed at how much power they had when they came at us with the hip checks, there's no pussyfooting around once those skates go on.

If you've ever dreamed of trying out roller derby, you totally should. And if you've ever wanted to go watch a match, you should do that too. In fact the FCGGD has one tomorrow night! Click the poster below for details. (Tickets are just $10)